Indian Gaming

Peter d'Errico on infighting in Indian Country over new casino developments:

Strange as it may seem, the casino-owning Nations are appealing to state governments and politicians to help them fight rival casinos! "Tribes from Oregon to Arizona are now using their casino wealth [for] lobbying lawmakers, contributing generously to political campaigns and filing lawsuits."

For example, the Chukchansi and Table Mountain Peoples are appealing to the state of California as they battle the North Fork Band of Mono Indians. Two other Indian nations are appealing to the state of Arizona for help fighting the Tohono O’odham Nation, and still two others are working with the state of Wisconsin against the Menominee.

The Times quoted Philip N. Hogen, Oglala Sioux, a former chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission: "There was a time when tribes felt like we’re all in this together, everyone can get a piece of the pie…. That unity has diminished over time, maybe regrettably."

It's regrettable, but not surprising, to see Connecticut and other states trying to block Indian self-determination and economic development. That sort of thing has been going on a long time. In 1828, the state of Georgia initiated a series of actions to oust the Cherokee Nation from its homelands, where it maintained a highly productive economy. Those actions set the stage for the infamous Indian Removal Act and Trail of Tears two years later.

It is, however, both surprising and unfortunate that any Indian nation would appeal to a state to act against another Indian nation. That sort of thing reminds us of the days when Indians opened the door to deep colonization by allying with colonial forces against their neighbors. Perhaps the most infamous example is the 1634-1638 Pequot War, when the Narragansett and Mohegan allied with English colonists to nearly destroy their traditional enemy. The Narragansett and Mohegan warriors withdrew from the ultimate battle, horrified by the brutality of the English; but this was not the last time an Indian nation allied with colonial invaders under the notion that "the enemy of my enemy is my friend."

Get the Story:
Peter d'Errico: Casino Wars: Friends, Enemies, and States (Indian Country Today 4/7)

Related Stories:
Tribes fighting each other in bid to block off-reservation casinos (3/4)